2025-26 Men's Wrestling All-Conference Honors Released

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - (Photos) The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) released its conference honors for men's wrestling in conjunction with the conference tournament on Saturday, February 14 at Indiana Tech. All 'of the year' honors are selected via a vote by conference head coaches. First and second team all-conference are determined by individual finish at the conference tournament. 

*Photos courtesy of Dalton Clark, Indiana Tech Sports Information

Wrestler of the Year - Jonathan Kervin, Indiana Tech

The second-ranked wrestler in the NAIA at 165 pounds delivered in a big way at the WHAC tournament, earning three bonus point wins to claim the 165 pound title and Wrestler of the Year honors. A senior, Kervin is now a three-time WHAC champion and is 30-1 on the season. Kervin has 12 wins by pin, 12 tech fall victories a major decision and three decision wins to his name thus far this season. 

Newcomer of the Year - Collin Sullivan, Lourdes University

A freshman, Collin Sullivan stormed onto the scene at 285 pounds to claim the conference tournament title as well as Newcomer of the Year honors. Entering the tournament as the ranked 25th in the weight class, Sullivan marched his way to the finals with a tech fall win in the quarters and a decision victory in the semis. In the finals, Sullivan battled to a 2-1 decision win over #13 Ian Clifford of Indiana Tech to earn 1st team all-conference. He was later selected by head coaches as the Newcomer of the Year. 

Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament - Nick Alayan, Rochester Christian University

RCU's Nick Alayan made program history, becoming the team's first WHAC individual champion when he earned the 133 pound championship on Saturday. Alayan entered the tournament ranked eighth in the weight class in the NAIA. He earned the top WHAC finish by going 2-0 (with a first-round bye), winning the semifinal match by an 11-3 major decision, before pulling off an upset against the #3-ranked wrestler with a fall at the 2:19 mark in the first period. 

Coach of the Year - Steven Bradley, Marian University

Coach Bradley was selected by his peers as the WHAC Coach of the Year. He lead his team to its first-ever WHAC tournament title on Saturday and also finished 6-1 in regular season conference dual action. Bradley saw five Marian wrestlers win their weight class at the WHAC tournament. This is the first WHAC Coach of the Year honor for Bradley.

Champion of Character Coach - Dock Kelly, Lourdes University

Kelly was selected by his peers as the WHAC Champions of Character Coach for being the coach who best represents the NAIA's five core values of: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Servant Leadership and Sportsmanship. This marks the second time Kelly has earned this honor as he was also the 2021 award winner. 

In addition to the individual honors above, winners of each weight class at the conference tournament were named First-Team All-Conference and runner-ups were awarded Second-Team All-Conference. The WHAC also released its All-Academic Team (sophomores or above in academic standing, in attendance one full year, minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale) and Champions of Character Team (best exemplifies the five core character values of integrity, respect, responsibility, servant leadership, and sportsmanship).

Based on finish at the conference tournament

Based on finish at the conference tournament

Sophomore or above in academic standing with cumulative 3.25 GPA and in attendance at nominating school for one full year

Best exemplifies the five core character values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership